KIRBY, Texas — Last year Keith Dixon got heavily into the study of angels. Now he behaves as if everywhere he goes, he’s leading an invisible posse of angelic beings with whom he communicates and consults throughout the day.

“Jesus was ministered to by angels. So were Peter, Paul and Elijah,” Dixon says. “Why not me?”

He often shares a laugh with the angels.

“He says something funny and looks around the room as if others are laughing, when it’s just me and him,” says a friend. “It’s a little creepy. You sort of acknowledge these invisible friends and move on.”

Dixon hasn’t gone so far as to say he knows the names of his angels, or has even seen them. He simply says he knows by faith that they are there, and feels good treating them like the friends they are.

“At first it’s alarming, but then you start thinking, maybe I’m missing out.” says a friend. “Maybe I should have my own angel posse.”

Dixon often says, “We’re going to head on out of here,” and “Have your angels call my angels.” Sometimes in conversation he turns to the invisible beings and says, “What do you all think?” Then he waits for an answer.

Some friends have embraced Dixon’s inclusiveness.

“I have a great time hanging out with Keith and his angels,” says one man. “I think they probably even like our jokes. I offer them a beer, but they never take it.”

Dixon says it’s great to have loyal human friends, but there’s nothing like living alongside God’s immortal messengers.